Speed-changing mechanism.



A. E. REUSS & O. SCHNITZLER.

SPEED CHANGING MECHANISM.

APPLIGATION FILED 001.13, 1911.v 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 14 Patented May 6,

A. E. REUSS & 0. SCHNITZLER.

SPEED CHANGING MECHANISM. \'APPLIOATION FILED 0GT.18,1911.

Patented May 6, 1913.

'4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Am. RBUSS @5 o. SGHNITZLBR.

SPEED CHANGING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 18, 1911.

A. E. REUSS L 0. SGHNITZLER.

SPEED CHANGING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED UGT. 18, 1911.

LCUs'Ye Patented May 6, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Er rn sar f FFQ.

ARTHUR E. REUSS, OF CINCINNATI, AND OSCAR SCHNITZLER, OF REMINGTGN, GHIO.

SPEED-CHANGING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 6, 1913.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, ARTHUR E. Reuss and .@soAR SCHNITZLER, citizens of the United States, residing, respectively, at Cincinnati and at Remington, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have jointly invented certain new and useful Improvements in Speed-Changing Mechanism,` of which the following is a specilication.

Uur invention relates to speed changing mechanism, and it is the object of our invention to provide novel means whereby the vchanging relation in the speed changing elements may be effected by power means having connection with one of the elements of the power transmission mechanism for moving the same; further to provide novel means for moving the movable member of power transmittin mechanism, ,embracing a screw-rod and-,s ifter,and novel mechanism for locking said movable member; further to provide novel means for initiating shifting movement in the speed change mechanism embracing a controlling member having operative connection with a suitable controlling device; and further to provide resilient positioning means whereby the moving vmeans for the movable member are normally held in inactiverelation, and the locking means for the shifting member are normally held in locked relation.

The invention will be further readily understood'fro-mthe following description and' claims, and from the drawings, in which latter:

Figure 1 is proved device,

an end elevation of our imwith the end of the casing removed. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of our improved device showing its clutch connections and showing the casing partly broken away, and the clutch shown partly in axial section. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of' our improved device taken in the Iaxial planes of the driving and driven shafts and the intermediate shaft, on a line corresponding to the sect-ion line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section` of the same taken on a. line correspondingl to the irregular line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig.- 5 is, a cross-sectionof our improved device taken on a line corresponding to the liney 5 5 of Fig. 3; and, Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section taken in the axial plane of the shifting screw on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

The present -exemplication of our invention illustrates power operated means for sied. May

shifting the movable member of the speedchange gearing, and initiating means for positioning said power operated mechanism in operative relation. rlhe initiation for transmitting relation in the power operated shifting means may be eected by a suitable controlling'mechanism, such, for instance, as shown, described and claimed in our copending applications, Serial No. 680,094, 29, 1911, `and Serial No. 654,610, tiled @ctober 14, 1911.

11 represents the casing of our improved device. 12 represents the drive-shaft which may have operative connection with a suitable source of power, as with the internal combustion motor or other motor f a traveling vehicle, such as an automobile. The usual crank-shaft of the motor may-be provided with a ily-wheel 13 connected with the driveshaft by a main drive-clutch 14. The driveshaft is shown journaled in a bearing 15 of the casing.

16 is the driven shaft journaled in a bear- Y ing 17 of the casing. The adjacent ends of the shafts 12 and 16 may have journal support with each other as4 shown by the journal stub 18 of the driven shaft received in the bearing 19 formed in a gear 20, secured to the drive-shaft.

24 is an intermediate shaft journaled in bearings 25 of the casing. It has a gear 26 thereon which meshes with the gear 20 for v driving said intermediate shaft from the drive-shaft. 'In the present exemplication further, the intermediate shaft has gears 27, 28, 29, fast thereon.

31 is a lgear-sleeve .which is slidable lengthwise but rotates with the driven shaft, as by forming the latter polygonal in crosssection and providing a similarly formed bore for the gear-sleeve. The gear-sleeve has gears 32 and-33 thereon. It also has one member of a clutch 34 at its Aend, `the other member whereof is shown o-n the gear 20. When said clutch is in enga-gement, direct transmission takes place between the driveshaft and the driven'shaft, preferably for the .transmission of high speed. 1f, intermediate speed transmission is desired the gear sleeve is shifted longitudinally for causing its gear 32 to mesh with the gearl 27, when transmission takes place from the driveshaft throu h the ears 20, 26,27 and 32 to the driven siliaft. f low speed transmission is desired, the gear-sleeve is shifted still further longitudinally for causing its gear 33 to mesh with the gear 28 on the intermediate shaft, the transmission then taking place through the gears 20, 26, 28 and 33 to the driven shaft. Change in speed transmission may take place in increasing or decreasing speed ratio by shifting said gear-sleeve to thelet or to the right 'as maybe desired.

The gear-sleeve is the movable member of the power transmittin mechanism inthe present exemplication o our invention; It is obvious that other forms of power transmitting mechanism embracing a movable member for accomplishing a change in speed transmission may be employed without departing from the spirit of our invention.

36 is a shifter for shifting the gear-sleeve and has threaded connection with a screwrod 37 journaled in bearings 38 in the cas by which connection the shifter is also positioned against turning withrelation to the screw, the shifter being moved longitudinally on the screw in either direction by the turning of the screw in reverse directions for shifting the gear-sleeve lengthwise on the shaft 16. For turning the screw-rod we secure a gear 43 thereto, which is meshed by a gear 44 on a shaft 45 journaled in bearings 46 in the casing.

49 is a tumbler-'plate having a bearing 50 on the shaft 45, which in the present instance is a rock-shaft', the tumbler-plate being secured thereto. vOne arm 52 on the tumbler-plate has a gear' 53 journaled thereon on a stud '54. The .gear 53 meshes with the gear 44, the latter being journaled on a stud-'sleeve 56 of the tumbler-arm for permitting. rotation thereof about the axis of the rock-shaft 45. The other arm 57 of the tumbler-plate has a gear `58 journaled thereon on a stud 59 which meshes with the gear 44 and a gear 60 journaled thereon on a stud 61, the gear 60 meshing with the gear 58.

is a shaft journaled in a bearing 66 of the casing and in a bearing 67 on a pedestal 68 in said' casing. This shaft car` ries a gear 69 fast thereon driven by the `gear 29. 70 is a clutch-sleeve longitudinally movable on said shaft 65 and having a gear 71 thereon. There is a clutch 72 between the gear 69 and the sleeve 70, shown as a cup friction-clutch, engagement of which .is urged by a springl 73 between said sleeve and a nut 7 4 adjustably received about the threaded end 75 of the shaft 65. The spring urges the friction-clutch 72 into engagement for yieldingly transmitting motion from the gear 69 to the gear 71, so that upon a given resistance being exerted vupon said clutch from the gear 71, the said clutch will yield and thereby preventdamage or breakage-of parts actuated by the ear 71. The gears 53 and 60 of the tumbgler gearingare artiating member may have suitable connection with a suitable controlling device such for inst-ance as shown in our aforesaid applica-tions, these connections being exemplified by the connections 82, 83. These connections may be received about idler rollers 84, 84, on the casing. 'When said arm is moved in the direction of the arrow a, the 4 screw-rod will be rotated in one direction for-instance for accomplishing a change in decreasing speed ratio for vinstance from high to low, and when said arm is moved in the direction of thel arrow b, a change in increasing speed ratio is initiated for instance from low to high, these changes taking place step by step in sequential order in either increasing or decreasing speed ratio.

We provide means for maintaining the tumbler-arm in neutral or non-transmitting relation and preferably provide yielding mechanism for the purpose, so that the tumbler gearing may be engaged for turning the screw-rod in either direction and for returning the tumbler gearing to normaler neutral position when said screw-rod has been turned sufficiently 'for a change of speed. Thus we provide the tumbler shaft 45 with an arm 85 having contact-faces 86, 87, thereon arranged to be engaged by contact-rollers 88, 89, on levers 90, 91, pivoted to the casing lon studs 92, 93, springs 94, 95,

these stops being arranged to limit the move` V ments of the levers 90, 91, toward the arln 85- -for positioning the latter.

Means are provided for locking the shifter in its various positions when the movable member of the power transmitting mechanism is in proper position for powertransmission at a given speed. Thus the shifter is provided with a ridge 101 having a series of recesses 102 therein. The rock-shaft 45 is provided with a finger 103 arranged to coact with said recesses for being received therein when said movable member is in power transmitting position. 'Ihe finger is secured to the rock-shaft 45 and rocks therewith. The resilient positioning means for the rock-shaft exemplified by the Iarm 85 and levers 90, 91, also act to maintain the linger or keeper of the locking mechanism weave? normally in locked relation. lf a change in speed is to be effected, movement of the initiating arm 78 is effected in one direction or the other. If this movement is effected in the direction of the arrow a, the keeper will move in the direction of the arrow c, the tumbler-arm rocking in the same direction for causing engagement of the gear 53 thereon with the gear 71, rotating the screw-rod in the direction of the arrow e, and causing shifting of the shifter and the gear-sleeve in the direction of the arrow g. As soon as meshing relation has been accomplished between the gear 53 and the gear 71 and the keeper has been moved out of range of the walls of its aperture the screw-rod will begin rotating for shifting the shifter longitudinally thereof.

The keeper will be maintained in its assumed position by the ridge 101 for maintaining meshing relation between the gears 53 and 71 until the next recess on said shifter comes opposite said keeper, whereupon the keeper will snap into said recess, owing to the action of the spring 94, the tumbler-arm simultaneously moving into neutral position. If on the other hand, said initiating arm is moved in the direct-ion of the arrow b, the tumbler-arm and keeper will be moved in the direction of the arrow d, for enga ging the tumbler-gear (S0 with the gear 71 and rotating said screw-i'od in the direction of the arrow f and moving the shifter and the gear-sleeve in the direction of the arrow L. It is assumed that the gear 71 rotates in the direction of the. arrow z'. Momentum of the parts will completev the change. Y

The shifter is provided with a scalloped face 105 with which a contact-part shown as a roller 106 coacts, the roller being on a lever 107 pivoted to the casing on a stud 108 and having a connection 109 articulated therewith at 110, the said connection leading to a treadle-lever 111 having a fork 112 provided with a pin or pins 1131, received in an annular groove 114 in' the releasable member 115 of the main drive-clutch 14. When a change of speed is being eHected, the main drive-clutch is released by having the roller 106 move out of one of the depressions 116 of the scalloped face 105 up one ofthe elevations 117 of said scalloped face, whereby the driving force of the motor is released from the power transmitting gearing during change of speed thereof forpermitting ease in change of speed relation.

Having thus fully described our inven tion, what weV claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s.:

Reversal of power transmitting movement may be effect- 1. ln speed changing mechanism, the combination of power transmitting mechanism comprising a movable member employed in changing the speed of transmission thereof, a main drive-clutch, and means for moving said movable member comprising a screwrod and a shifter having threaded connection with said screw-rod, said shifter having operative connection with said movable member for moving the same and operative connect-ion with said main drive-clutch for releasing the same.

2. In speed changing mechanism, the combination of power transmitting mechanism comprising a movable member employed in changing the speed of transmission thereof, and means for moving said movable member comprising a screw-rod, a shifter having threaded connection with said screw-rod, a gear for rotating said screw-rod, tumbler gearing comprising gears for rotating s aid gear in reverse directions, and connecting means between said tumbler gearing and an element of said power transmitting mechanism for rotating said tumbler gearing.

, 3. In speed changing mechanism, the combination of vpowei' transmitting mechanism' embracing a movable member employed in changing the speed of transmission thereof, and means for shifting said movablemeiii` ber comprising a screw-rod, a shifter havin threaded connection with .said screwro a gear for rotating said screw-rod, and tumbler gearing comprising gears for rotating said gear in reverse directions, and yielding driving means between said tumbler gearing and a member of said power transmitting mechanism.

4. Inspeed changing mechanism, the combination of power transmitting,mechanism comprising a movable member employed in changing the speed of transmission thereof, and means for shifting said movable member comprising a screw-rod, a shifter having threaded connection with said screw-v rod, and means for rotating said screw-rod in opposite directions, and a lock for said shifter, said lock comprising a keeper operable upon the operation of said last-named means in either direction.

5. In speed changing mechanism, the combination of power `transmitting mechanism comprising a movable member employed in changing the speed of transmission thereof, and means for shifting said movable member comprising a screw-rod, a shifter having threaded connection with said screw-rod, and means for rotating said screw-rod in opposite directions, a lock for said shifter, said lock comprising a keeper operable upon the operation of said last-named-means in either direction, and means for normally locating said keeper in engagement with said shifter. 4 f

6. In speed changing mechanism, the comi'os isc

bination o' power transmitting mechanism comprising a movablefmember employed in changing the speed of transmission thereof, and means for shifting saidmovable mem-l ber comprising a screw-rod, a shifter havingthreaded connection with said screw-rod and positioning connection with said 'movable-member, a gear for rotating said screwrod., and tumbler gearing comprising gears rotatable in opposite directions tor rotating said ear in reverse directions, a lock for said s ifter comprising a keeper swingable with said tumbler gearing for disengaging said shifter; and resilient means for returning said keeper into engaging position with said shifter.

7. In speed changing mechanism, the combination of power transmitting mechanism comprising a movable member employed in changing the speed of transmission thereof,

and means for shifting said movable member comprising a screw-rod, a shifter havingthreaded connection withsaid screw-rod, a gear for rotating said screw-rod, and tumbler gearing comprising gears arrangedy to coact with said last-named gear for rotating said screw-rod in reverse directions, and resilient means for normally maintaining said tulnbler gearing in inactive relation.

8. In speed changing mechanism, the combination of power transmitting mechanism comprising a movable member employed in changing the speed of transmission thereof,

and `means for shifting said movable memchanging the speed of transmission thereof, n

andmeans for shifting said movable member comprising. a screw-rod, a shifter having threaded connection with said screw-rod, a gear for rotating said screw-rod, and tumbler gearing comprising gears arranged to coact with said last-named gear for rotating said screw-rod in reverse directions, resilient means for normally maintaining Asaid tumbler gearin in inactive relation, and a lock for said s ifter, said lock comprising a keeper normally held in engagement with said shifter by said resilient means.

101 In speed changing mechanism, the combination of. power transmitting mechanism comprising a movable member employed in `changing the speed of transmission thereof, and means for shifting said movable weaver member comprising a shifter and tumbler gearing for operating said shifter in reverse directions, a lock for said shifter comprising a keeper having operative connection with said reversing gearing, and resilient means for normally maintaining said reversing gearing in inactive relation and said keeper in locking relation.

11. In speed changing mechanism, the

combination of power transmitting mecha-I nism comprising a movable member employed in changing the speed of transmission thereof, and means for shifting said movable member comprising a shifterand tumbler gearing tor operating said shifter in reverse directions, a lock for said shifter comprising a keeper having operative con-` nection with said reversing gearing, resilient means for normally maintaining said reversing gearing in inactive relation and said keeper in locking relation, and a controlled member for oscillating vsaid reversing gearing and keeper.

12. In speed changing mechanism, the combination of power transmitting mechanism comprising a movable member employed in changing the speed of transmission thereof, means for shifting said movable member embracing a screw-rod, a shifter having threaded connection with said screwrod, a gear for rotating said screw-rod, and tumbler gearing coacting therewith and embracing gears for rotating said screw-rod in reverse directions, a lock for said shifter comprising a keeper having operative connection with said tumbler gearing, andv a4 controlled member having` operative connection. with said tumbler gearing for moving said tumblerv gearing and keeper.

13. In speed. changing mechanism, the combination of power transmitting mechalot) nism comprising a movable member eming, a controlled member having operative connection with said last-named connection for moving said tumbler gearing and keeper, and resilient means for normally holding said tumbler gearing in inactive rela-tion and said keeper in locking relation with said shifter.

14. In speed changing mechanism, the

combination of powerl transmitting mechanism comprisin a movable member employed in changing the speed of transmission thereof, and means for shifting said movable member comprising a shifter hav- `ing positioning connection' with saidmovable member, and meansfor movingv said shifter in reverse directions, a lock Vfor vsaid shifter comprising a keeper connected with said last-named means lfor operating the same, and said lock comprising coacting means for said keeper arranged longitudinally of said shifter, and means for normally moving said keeper into locking reJ lation with said last-named means.

15. In speed changing mechanism, the combination of power transmitting mechanism comprising a lmovable member em'- ployed in changing the speed of transmission thereof, a driveclutch, and means'for shifting said movable member comprising a screw-rod and a shifter having threaded connection with said screw-rod and extendf ing longitudinally 'of the latter and provided with a scalloped face, actuating means for said drive-clutch provided with coacting contact means for said scalloped face, a lock for said shifter comprising a series of recesses arranged longitudinally of said shifter and a keeper arranged to coact with said recesses, and means for driving said screw-rod in reverse directions having operative connection with' said keeper for shifting the same out of said recesses.

16. In speed changing mechanism, the combination of power transmitting mechanism comprising a movable member employed in changing the speed of transmission thereof, a drive-clutch, and means for shifting said movable member comprising a screw-rod, rotating means for said screwrod, and a shifter having threaded connec.

ytion with Said screw-rod and` extending longitudinally of the latter and provided with a scallopedl face, actuating meansfor said drive-clutch provided. with coacting contact means for said scalloped face, a lock "said recesses,` and means` for driving said screw-rod in reverse directions having operative'connection with said keeper for Shifting the "same out of said recesses, and resilient means for maintaining said rotating means for said screw-rod in inactive relation and said keeper in locking relation..

17. In speed changing mechanism, the combination of power transmitting mechansm comprising speed-change and reversing elements comprising a mova le member, and means for shifting said movable member comprising a screw-rod a shifter having threaded connection with said screw-rod, a gear for rotating said screw-rod, and yielding driving means for theflatter comprising one of said reversing elements.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names hereto in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

v ARTHUR. E. REUSS.

OSCAR SCHNITZIJEIR.v Witnesses: i

EDWARD SoU'rHwoR'rr,

THEnEsA Smmn. 

